The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1887-09-13

LAST week the AIaEai contained, under
the head of " The Independent Plat
FORM" the following statement of
principles on which the opposition
candidates take their stand. 1t will
be observed that every item in the
document worthy of being submitted
to the electors has been stolen from
the platform of the Reform party.
This may appear sweeping state
ment, as some may regard the fourth
plank as at least open to discussion.
But a glance at the circumstances of
the country will convince any reason
able man that the proposition of that
section-to make public officers elect
ive-however well it may work in
other countries, would be utterly i'm
practicable of successful operation
here. "The principal officers of the
Government" have headquarters in
Honolulu, but their duties relate to
matters all over the Islands. Availa-
BILE candidates might be known in
Honolulu and unknown in the coun-
try, or vice versa, so that either the
city or the rural districts would have
to go it blind in voting for them.
Again, the same officers in many
cases require technical skill, of which
the mass of the people would be ut
terly incompetent to Judge The peo-
pie viii have virtual control of such
appointments, acting on the strength
of visible results, under the existing
system of responsible Ministerial gov
ernment. Thus, if an officer in the
discharge of his duties does not give
satisfaction to the public, the Ministry
that keeps him in Office will be liable
to censure by the Legislature unless
the complaints against such officer are
shown to have no foundation in fact.
The Ministry is responsible to an
elective Legislature for its subordi-
mates in every department, which is
as full a recognition Of the principle
of popular government in that respect
as could be given in this country. As
for the fifth clause, it requires a more
stringent treatment of foreigners than
the old Constitution did, in compell-
ing them to forswear allegiance to
their own countries. 1t is too late in
the day to attempt putting on the
screws of an exclusive policy in that
manner, and such thing would likely
be interpreted by the governments of
the Powers as an unfriendly act.
Their excessive zeal to captivate votes
would thus lead the opposition to go
to the length of bringing unknown
perils on the nation. With regard to
the sixth clause, it is enough to ask
the wise heads who drew it up, when
they expect the national debt to be
paid if by their stoppage of labor sup
plies they cripple the principal indus
try of the country, upon which all the
sources of revenue either directly or
indirectly depend The opposition
platform, preamble and all, is as fol-
lows:
The candidates for Mobiles and Representa-
tives on The independent ticket looking to
the welfare Of the native Hawaiians and all
citizens and subjects of the Kingdom, and
those of other nations, hold that the true OBJ
ject Of legislation is to secure the greatest
good for the greatest number.
Therefore, they agree to uphold the follow
ing platform:
l. That there are many defects in the pres
ent Constitution which should be amended
before its final ratification.
,. That the independence of this Kingdom
as a Constitutional Monarchy be preserved.
3. That the Government should be con-
Quoted according to principles of wise econ
omy, and that taxation should be equalized,
50 that tbs taxes may fall as lightly as posi-
BILE on the mass of the people.
4. That the principal officers of the Gov
ernment be elected by the people except the
Ministers and Judges of Courts of Record.
.. That foreigner, in order TO be eligible
to any office of emOlument under this Gov
ernment, must forswear ali allegiance to his
own country, and must take the oati of aile-
glance to this Government.
6. That all further immigration of foreign
laborers to this country. be suspended until
our national debt Is paid.
Z. That internal improvements be encour-
aged so as to secure the most permanent and
beneficial results and tend to insure the pros
perity of the nation.